This virtual classroom is your main form of communication with your tutor and your fellow classmates. Use this page to ask questions or make comments. It's easy to do this.
If you would like to ask a question or make a comment, you "post" your question or comment on the relevant web page. During the week of Module one, please post your question on the Module one web page. The answers will also appear on the same page. When we move on to Module two, post your questions on the Module two web page, and so on.
To "post" something on the web page, simply click on the word “Comments”. You'll find this at the end of the message that appears on your access page. Always post in the "Comments" section nearest the bottom of the page.
When you click on Comments (0), a text field will appear directly below.
- Please enter your full name – first name and last name. This will make it easier for the presenter when answering questions. Especially if there is more than one John or Sarah in the class.
- Enter your email address.
- Ignore the box asking for a URL for now. If you have problems posting you may need to enter a "dummy" URL. For example www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au.
- Tick “Remember personal info” if you want your details to be there next time you login on the same computer.
- Type your question / comment in the comments box.
The box does not allow formatting, such as bold or italics.
When you're ready, click “Post”.
From time to time you may be asked to type in a word verification code. If you see the words "Previewing you Comment" please scroll down to the bottom of the page to see if it is asking for the verification code. See image below:
Type in the random letters as they appear, click "Continue" and your comment should appear on the page.
When your comment has made it to the page you will see a confirmation note. See image below.
After you see this note it's important to double-check that your comment is on the page.
Please ensure you refresh the page to double-check that your comment is on the page.
Problems posting a questions?
From time to time you may be asked to type in a word verification code. If you see the words "Previewing you Comment" please scroll down to the bottom of the page to see if it is asking for the verification code. See image below:
Type in the random letters as they appear, click "Continue" and your comment should appear on the page.
Try refreshing the page. This often helps reactivate the comments box.
Another trick is to enter a "dummy URL" into the URL field. For example www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au.
The "Post" button doesn't work (button looks faded).
This may happen if you copy and paste text from somewhere else (like Word or Notepad). For the buttons to become active, you need to physically type something into the comment box (cutting and pasting into this section won't trigger the buttons). So even if they just physically type "Regards, Valerie" in the comments box after copying and pasting, that will activate the buttons.
Also, make sure the text boxes for name and e-mail address are filled.
In addition, if you have any add-ons or security programs, like firewalls that block scripts from running, this may cause problems. You should temporarily disable anything like this to see if that helps.
Help! My assignment keeps disappearing from the page
If you click “Post”, see the confirmation message, refresh the page and find that your comment still isn’t on the page it’s possible it’s being blocked by a spam filter.
This sometimes happens to long assignments or assignments that have a high number of "spammy" keywords. It's impossible to tell which assignments will be marked as spam, but we're aware that this does happen. If this happens to you, please email us your assignment on courses [at] spindriftmedia [dot] com [dot] au. We’ll then go into the system, check the spam filter and publish your assignment.
Still having problems?
If you are still experiencing problems posting a question or comment, you can email us your question and we would be more than happy to upload the question or comment for you. Please remember to include the name of the course you are taking and the date your course started.
What if you have posted something by mistake?
If you have posted something by mistake, or wish to add more to your question or assignment, just post a new message. For example, you might say: "Hi, please ignore the question I just posted. I have done more research and have a different question now. This is the most up to date one ..."
What happens next?
At the end of the week, your tutor will answer all your questions in written form and this will be posted on the relevant module page. When it has been uploaded, an email will automatically be sent to the class.
Questions and Comments
You can ask questions about any topic at any time – just make sure you post it on the relevant Module for that week (the dates are clearly displayed at the top of each page).
Assignments
When you are posting your assignment, to make it easier for your online tutor to identify, type the word: "ASSIGNMENT" in CAPS at the top of your post, if you are just "chatting" or commenting, go ahead and post.
*** We'd like to make it a general rule that feedback won't be given for those who post late assignments. ***
Apart from being unfair to those who do post on time, it just gets messy if people deliver their assignments at different times.
In addition, as a journalist, I'd like to add that deadlines are really important. If you want to be a good writer – a published writer – it requires discipline. Publishers work to a deadline. So it's important to get into these habits early.
Give it a go. Once you get the hang of it, it's very easy! If you have any questions about how to post, call Danielle on (02) 9929 0088 or email her on courses [at] spindriftmedia [dot] com [dot] au..
Use of expletives and profanity
As creative writing can cover a range of topics, dialogue and characters, we recognise that your writing may occasionally contain expletives or profanity. At the request of some students, if you include expletives we'd like to ask you to use asterisks to replace some of the letters.
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